Botswana's government is lifting a ban that protected its elephants from being hunted, part of a series of decisions that could have lasting impacts on the country's conservation efforts. The hunting ban made Botswana elephants’ last remaining sanctuary in Africa, but even still, though … Botswana's government is lifting a ban that protected its elephants from being hunted, part of a series of decisions that could have lasting impacts on the country's conservation efforts. After five years, hunting will now be allowed in Botswana, home to about a third of Africa’s savanna elephants. It's one of the world's last sanctuaries for African elephants. JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Botswana has lifted its ban on elephant hunting in a country with the world's highest number of the animals, a decision that has brought anger from some wildlife protection groups and warnings of a blow to lucrative tourism. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to lift the ban on elephant trophy imports from Zimbabwe and Zambia. 3 Minute Read. Botswana on Wednesday lifted its ban on elephant hunting, saying the population had increased and farmers' livelihoods were being impacted, in a move set to trigger outrage from conservationists. Critics of the ban, imposed in 2014, say the restriction was causing problems to small farmers and to those who previously benefited from hunting. A prohibition on elephant hunting was introduced in the southern African country in 2014 by then-president In 2017, a controversy erupted after the U.S. Botswana is home to about 130,000 African savanna elephants, which are classified as a “vulnerable” species. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to lift the ban on elephant trophy imports from Zimbabwe and Zambia. But now, Botswana says, its population of the animals will be fair game for hunters. JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Botswana has lifted its ban on elephant hunting in a country with the world’s highest number of the animals, a decision that has brought anger from some wildlife protection groups and warnings of a blow to lucrative tourism. While hunting elephants is now legal in Botswana, American sport hunters may not rush there because it’s unlikely they’d be able to bring their trophies home. Botswana lifts ban on elephant hunting. While hunting elephants is now legal in Botswana, American sport hunters may not rush there because it’s unlikely they’d be able to bring their trophies home. Botswana has the world’s largest population of African elephants, and the decision to lift a five-year prohibition on hunting drew an international backlash. In 2017, a controversy erupted after the U.S. The ban had been in place for the last five years. By Rachael Bale.